NHRC condemns attack on students

The National Human Rights Commission has condemned an attack on students demonstrating to demand reforms to the quota system for entry into the public service.

"We learn from different media and social networking sites that Shahbagh intersection turned into a battlefield following police action on the protesting students and sporadic clashes took places between them," the Commission said in a media release.

Kazi Reazul Hoque, Commission Chairperson, urged the relevant authorities to hold talks with the students to resolve the issue quickly.

He also called on the authorities to take action against those people who were involved in the attack on the residence of Dhaka University's Vice Chancellor's residence.

The Star Online reported that at least 75 people were injured as police clashed with students demanding reforms to the quota system.

Police reportedly fired several hundred teargas shells and rubber bullets, used water cannons and charged batons to disperse the demonstrators who blocked the intersection for over five hours.

The Star Online also reported that a group of protesters broke the main gate of the Vice Chancellor's residence. They vandalised furniture and other belongings, as well as torching three cars inside the compound, according to witnesses and fire service personnel.

Date: 10 April 2018